“I glory in nothing but the cross of Jesus Christ.” (St. Paul–paraphrased :))
 

I guess my RC Women’s Team leader, Laura, expressed my sentiments best. She said, with regard to the Vatican’s invitation to Father Maciel LC. to enter a private life of prayer and penance, “You feel like you’ve been knocked over, but you just pick yourself up and keep moving.” Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.
 
My spiritual advisor, Jackie, surmises that Father Maciel probably offered the last years of his life as a Passion to Our Lord, and views the Vatican’s decision as a gift from Christ. I feel like this new suffering is Our Lord’s gift in another way, as well. Namely, Father Maciel asked the Sacred Heart that the Legionaries always receive persecutions, in order to keep them faithful to their charism and the Holy Father; if they ever lose their charism, Father Maciel has asked Our Lord that they are destroyed. According to His eternal faithfulness, Our Lord is granting many blessed persecutions. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.
 
As a member of Regnum Christi, I feel great trust in the decision of the Holy Father and accept that this is the most prudent course. The Church must listen to all of Her children and choose what is best for all. It seems to me that this is the best way to respect the formal accusations of certain children, as well as the frailty and proclaimed innocence of another. When I am a mother (please God!), I hope to act just as wisely.
 
I’m not surprised by the gleeful crowing of certain unfaithful Catholics and secular media sources. They don’t know the glorious joy in living the fullness of Truth, and I feel sad for them. I am, however, somewhat surprised by the assumption of some orthodox Catholics of Father Maciel’s guilt. It seems to me that if these charges were true, Our Lord would not allow the Church to be mocked, that Our Lord would not have allowed Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict to be so deceived, would not allow the Legionaries to accomplish so much good and receive so many vocations. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.
 
I feel like Christ has been offering the Church many opportunities of late to suffer with Him. The DaVinci Code’s libel, the “exciting discovery” of the Gospel of Judas–all manifest the diabolical rage of the Evil One against the Bride of Christ. With so many wounds from which the Church already bleeds, we don’t need to draw any more blood from each other.
 
I’m certain this suffering which Father Maciel willingly undertakes will be greatly efficacious for the Church and the Legionaries. I deeply pray that no souls will be led astray by the current confusion and beg Our Lord to bring this all to good. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!